Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant William Grabeck was shot during a hold-up at the A.Y.O. Packing Company. He'd entered the building through the front entrance and found Frank Wojculewicz, armed with a revolver stolen from the Colt factory, robbing the office. Sergeant Grabeck placed his revolver in the robber's back and ordered him to drop his gun. A civilian appeared between Sergeant Grabeck and Wojculewicz as the sergeant attempted to make the apprehension. Wojculewicz spun and fired point blank, striking Sergeant Grabeck five times. Sergeant Grabeck fired six times, wounding Wojculewicz. Patrolman Wojtusik responded from the rear of the building, fired twice at the suspect, who was crawling toward his weapon, and then overpowered him. Both Sergeant Grabeck and Wojculewicz were brought to New Britain General Hospital where Sergeant Grabeck expired after heart massage briefly resuscitated him. Wojculewicz survived, but his lower body was paralyzed. Wojculewicz was granted ten reprieves, most of them by Governor Abraham Ribicoff, but was finally executed at the Connecticut State Prison on Oct. 26th, 1959. The A.Y.O. shoot-out had now resulted in two deaths. Sergeant Grabeck was survived by his wife. He is buried in Saint Mary Cemetery, New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut.
Survivors
Sergeant Grabeck was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-3ACF948D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
32 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Grabeck gave the New Britain Police Department 32 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the New Britain community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Grabeck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant William J. Grabeck is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Britain Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. Grabeck's cause is highlighted.
How William J. Grabeck Compares
Offender Outcome
Senteenced to Death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Grabeck is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Grabeck was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from New Britain Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
